The Eagles weathered the early storm, scoring seven points in the opening quarter as both teams worked to establish rhythm. Portage Northern held a narrow 11–7 lead after one, but Grand Rapids Christian responded with poise and purpose.

The 2nd quarter marked a turning point, as the Eagles found their offensive flow and elevated their intensity on both ends of the floor. Grand Rapids Christian erupted for 22 points in the quarter while holding the Huskies to just four, building a 29–15 halftime lead through good execution, defensive pressure, and unselfish play.

That momentum carried into the second half. The Eagles continued to set the tone defensively in the third quarter, disrupting the Huskies’ offense and controlling the glass. The commitment to defense and rebounding fueled transition opportunities and extended the lead to 52–24 heading into the final period.

Grand Rapids Christian maintained control throughout the 4th quarter, playing with discipline and composure to close out the game. Defense and rebounding were the defining factors on the night, as the Eagles limited scoring opportunities and consistently won the effort areas. The result was a complete team performance and a strong 68–38 win to begin the New Year.

The Eagles were led by Braylon Taylor with 19 points, while MVP Connor Johnson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Pabegg Anyijong added 10 points, and Ajak Gieu added 7 points. Charlie King and Oliver Strater each chipped in 6 points to round out a balanced scoring effort.

This was an outstanding team win for the Eagles playing without two starters.